CHARLES/HAYDEN PARKING GARAGE EXPANSION

The ever growing metropolis of Toronto never seems to have enough parking so the Toronto Parking Authority is always looking for ways to increase capacity to insure sufficient parking in all areas to insure continued success of commerce and the well-being of citizens.  The decision was made to expand the Charles Hayden Parking garage by two additional stories.

 Fortunately the light weight of steel compared to concrete structure made this badly needed expansion possible.  Light, strong and durable galvanized steel also can be erected much faster than concrete structures minimizing cost and lost parking revenues.

Situated next door to the busiest subway station in all of Canada they knew every extra spot would be quickly filled but this location presented a challenge for expansion because the garage actually straddles a subway line that passes directly under the existing structure.  To prevent the risk of damage to the subway tubes a strict weight limit was imposed on the project by Transit Authority engineers.  Fortunately the light weight of steel compared to concrete structure made this badly needed expansion possible.  Light, strong and durable galvanized steel also can be erected much faster than concrete structures minimizing cost and lost parking revenues.  And the zinc will protect the steel against the corrosive road salts and high humidity the garage is exposed to several months a year.

This quickly completed expansion added 210 additional parking spaces to the 450 original spaces while meeting the weight limitations.  In other words versatile steel made it possible and fast while hot-dip galvanizing will make it last and last.

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